Do you really, I mean REALLY want to get up at the crack of dawn to head out for Black Friday Deals?
After all there will be traffic, and crowds, and long lines, not to mention pushy people and the fact that you will have to put shoes on.
No need to battle traffic, wait in lines, or even put on shoes.
With the rise of online Black Friday deals, you can score major savings right from your couch.
Here are 10 smart and practical ways to make the most of Black Friday shopping from home—and save big in the process.
Preview Black Friday Ads Early
Many retailers publish their Black Friday ads in advance, sometimes as early as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (except Kohl’s, which often starts late Sunday night).
Track these early previews and start planning your shopping list now to snag the best online offers.
Shop Amazon’s Lightning Deals
Amazon loves to light up your holiday season with limited-time lightning deals on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
Set an alarm and stay vigilant—these disappear fast.
Earn Cash Back with Ebates (Rakuten)
Shop through Rakuten (formerly Ebates) to earn a percentage of your purchase back in cash.
It’s free to join and stacks on top of existing discounts, making your savings even sweeter.
Rack Up Points via Swagbucks
Shop via Swagbucks—you earn points (SB) that turn into cash or gift cards.
It’s an easy way to get rewarded for purchases you were already planning to make.
Watch for Gift-With-Purchase Deals
Many stores offer free gift-with-purchase offers online, just like in stores.
These are often automatically added if eligible, so keep an eye out for added value from the comfort of your couch.
Check Online Ads Frequently
Leakage of Black Friday ads often begins at least a week before the event.
Monitor retailer previews to know which online deals match in-store offers, so you’re always ahead of the game.
Save Items in Your Cart
If an item is limited in supply, you don’t want to wait.
Add it to your cart immediately, even if you plan to think it over, because some deals vanish by the time you revisit.
Print or Screenshot Your Receipt
Guard against price mistakes or delivery issues by saving a copy of your order confirmation.
Print it out or take a screenshot—easy proof if any disputes arise later.
Prepare Your Payment Method
Whether using PayPal or a debit/credit card, make sure your funds are accessible and verified so you don’t hit a snag at checkout.
Having your payment method ready ensures smooth transactions.
Track Your Orders with Shipping Info
Once your order is placed, record the tracking and shipping details.
Having it on hand lets you monitor fast‑moving shipping windows, especially important during the holiday rush.
Bonus: Avoid Common Online Shopping Pitfalls
- Beware of “doorbuster deception”—some deals are tied to low-quality or unique versions of a product. Always check model numbers and reviews before grabbing “too-good-to-be-true” offers.
- Do your price research—some retailers artificially inflate prices ahead of Black Friday to amplify the perceived discount. Use tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel to track pricing history and confirm the deal is real.
- Understand return policies—Black Friday can bring tighter return windows or restocking fees. Always verify the return and refund terms before you buy.
Why These Tricks Work
- No-cost upgrades like Rakuten cashback and Swagbucks points mean more value without spending more.
- Previewing ads puts you ahead of the curve—alert to steals before they go live.
- Risks like fake deals, inflated pricing, or return restrictions get countered with smart research and tracking.
Couch-shopping Black Friday is not only possible, it’s often smarter and more strategic.
Use your existing list, stack cashback tools, track items, and shop confidently from home.
Check out all of the current Black Friday Ads available today.
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